Supporting-clamp for electric conductors.



No. 801,250. PATENTED 001210, 1905.

J. R. KEARNEY. 4 SUPPORTING CLAMP PQR ELECTRIC OONDUCTORS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 15. 1904.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W17 [/VVE/VTOR cfmiilfmy No. 801,250. PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905. J. R.KEARNEY.

SUPPORTING CLAMP FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.15,1904.

2 SHEETSSKBET 2.

iking! 1- Altai Hey UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES R. KEARNEY, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented out. 10, 1965.

Application filed December 15, 1904- Serial No. 236,989.

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES R. KEARNEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State ofKansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSupporting-Clamps for Electric Conductors, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to that type of inventions classified as supportsand hangers for electrical conductors, and has special reference to animproved supporting-clamp clesigned for the support of electric cablesand wires in overhead systems of wiring.

To this end the invention contemplates a simple and practicalconstruction of clamp capable of being clamped upon the conductor with apowerful grip, while at the same time permitting a cable to makeright-angle turns without cutting or splicing. In this connection theinvention provides a form of clamp possessing special advantage inconnection with the various types of strain-insulators which areassociated with electric cables and their bracing-guys.

To this end the improved clamp permits a continuous running of the cablethrough the clamp while not interfering with the bracing of the clamp toaccommodate angles and turns of the cable. This entirely obviates thecrossing and splicing of the cable where rightangle turns are made,while at thesame time the improved clamps give the cable its fullconductivity,which is impossible in any splicejoint such as commonlyresorted to in cablehanging.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, whichwill be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in the specificconstruction of the clamp and the novel means of hanging the same topermit of continuous right-angle turns of the cable without cutting orsplicing are necessarily susceptible to structural change withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention; but a preferredexemplification thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a common method ofstringing electric cables in connection with strain-insulators.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the improved method of stringingelectric cables in connection with the improved clamps and the novelmeans of hanging the latter in connection with strain-insulators. Fig. 3is a side view of one of the improved clamps shown associated with onetype of strain-insulator. Fig. 4: is a top plan view of a clamp Fig. 5is a cross-sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an insideplan view of the two plates comprising the clamp. Fig. 7 is a detailview showing the adaptation of the clamp to another type ofstrain-insulator having its own clevis.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

The clamp proper essentially comprises a pair of superposedclamping-plates 1 and 2, preferably of aduplicate formation in theparticular of the wire gripping or clamping means. These memberspreferably consist of stout metal plates rolled, forged, or otherwiseformed into shape, and the same are provided upon their inner faces withthe longitudinallydisposed grooves 3, open throughout and at their endsand producing what may be properly termed longitudinal conductor-seatsfor receiving therein opposite side portions of the electrical cable orconductor.

The longitudinal seats 3 upon the inner faces of the opposite clampingmembers 1 and 2 are disposed directly opposite in complemental relationto constitute parts of the same channel or groove receiving theconductor. The surface of these grooves 3 is serrated or otherwisesuitably roughened, as indicated by the reference-numeral 5, to providedefinite gripping-surfaces for biting into and firmly engaging the wireor cable to prevent slipping of the clamp thereon.

At both sides of the longitudinal plane of v the conductor-seats 3 thebody portion of the clamp members or plates 1 and 2 are formed into thewide side bolt-flanges 6, provided therein with a plurality ofbolt-holes 7, receiving the binding-bolts 8. These bindingbolts 8,disposed upon both sides of the con ductor-seats and connecting the twomembers or plates, provide means whereby said members or plates may betightened with a very strong binding grip upon the electricalconductor,thus permitting an y reasonable amount of stress or stretchingstrain to be placed upon the conductor or the clamp without a relativeslipping of the parts.

TOO

IIO

A distinctive feature of the present invention resides in associatingwith the clamp suitable means for hanging or supporting the conductor,and to provide for this one of the clamping members or plates(designated by the numeral 1) is provided at one end with the flangeextension 9. This flange extension 9 is laterally offset from the bodyof the member or plate through the medium of an offsetting bend lO, soas to dispose the same wholly at one side of the longitudinal plane ofthe member 1, and hence wholly at one side of the plane of the cable orconductor passing through the clamp. The said flange extensionconstitutes what might be properly termed a hanger-flange, with which isassociated the means for supporting and positioning the electricalconductor. Also it is the purpose of the invention to have thehanger-flange 9 constitute a direct means of connection between theclamp and a straininsulator, such as commonly employed in overheadsystems of wiring.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings there is illustrated a strain-insulatordesignated in its entirety by the referencenumber 11. This insulator isof a Well-known construction and is designed to perform its individualfunctions as an insulator of this type; but in adapting this form ofinsulator to 'theimproved clamp herein described it is preferable toassociate with the clamp a supplemental clevis-strap 12, arranged aboveand parallel to the hanger-flange 9 and also having an offsettingbend13, which disposes one arm of the strap upon the outer side of theclamping member or plate 1, to which member or plate the supplementalclevis-strap is secured through the medium of a rivet, screw, orequivalent fastening 1 1. The bifurcation between the strap 12 and theflange 9 is designed to receive the single connecting-rod 15 of thestrain-insulator 11, and the eye 16 at the opposite end of saidstraininsulator is designed to have secured thereto in the usual mannera bracing-guy 17, such as employed in overhead systems of wiring, asillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Some types of strain-insulators do not require the supplementalclevis-strap for attachment to the improved supporting-clamp claimedherein. For instance, in Fig. 7 of the drawings there is shown a type ofstraininsulator 11 whose connectingrod 15 is formed at its outer endwith a clevis 18 for receiving the bolt 19, connecting the same with theflange 9 of the clamp.

To accentuate the advantageous improvement in stringing electricalconductors, as provided for by the improved clamp, Fig. 1 of thedrawings is shown to illustrate the old method. Referring to this figureof the drawings, 20 designates the pole carrying the usual cross-arms21, upon which are supported the electrical cables or conductors C.These cables or conductors C are shown as being carried in pairs andmaking a right-angle turn upon the cross-arms 21. To accomplish this,the conductors are cut, forming two separate pairs at the point wherethe angle-turn is made upon the cross-arms 21. The separate pairs ofcables are crossed at the point 0 and also at the points S are splicedthrough the medium of the usual spliced joint. Also in this arrangementthe ends of the cables of each pair have connected. thereto thestraininsulators 11, from which lead the bracingguys 17.

The above arrangement of crossed and spliced cables is entirely obviatedin carrying out the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2 of thedrawings, it will be seen that instead of cutting and splicing theconductors and cables the same are left uncut and are simply bent atright angles and carried along continuously. To accomplish this, eachcable or conductor has one of the improved clamps clamped thereon uponits straight portion at both sides of the bend B therein, thus disposingthe two clamps upon each bent cable at right angles to each other. Eachof said clamps upon each conductor has the straininsulator andbracing-guy 17 connected therewith, as before referred to, and in thisconnection it is to be noted that it is only necessary to connect theguys 17 with the glass insulators 22, mounted upon the ends of thecross-arrns 21 in the usual manner. Hence it will be seen that for eachright-angle turn of the conductor there are employed a pair ofright-angularly-disposed clamps and rightan gularly-arran gedstrain-insulators and bracing-guys, as plainly shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the l'1e1'eindesc1'ibed improvement will be readilyapparent without further description, and it will be understood thatvarious changes in the form, proportion, and minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. In thisconnection it will be readily understood that while special emphasis hasbeen placed upon the adaptation of the clamps on cable corners the saidclamps are useful as supporting-hangers in other positionssuch, forinstance, as on cable ends, where it would only be necessary to employone clamp.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is

1. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping-plates, binding means connecting these plates, and ahanger connection disposed at one side of the plane of the conductorextending between the plates.

2. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping members or plates having conductor-seats, bindingmeans connecting these plates, and a hanger connection disposed at oneside of the plane of the conductor extending between the plates.

3. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping-plates, one of which is provided with a hangerconnection, and binding means connecting the two plates.

4. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping-plates formed with longitudinal conductor-seats andone of which is provided with a hanger connection, and binding meansconnecting the-two plates.

5. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors, comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping members formed with conductor-seats and one of whichis provided with a laterally-olfset hanger connection, and binding meansconnecting the two members.

6. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping members formed With longitudinally-disposedconductor-seats in their inner faces and one of which is provided at oneend with a laterally-offset hanger-flange for the connection of astrain-insulator therewith and a binding connection between the twoplates.

7. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping members formed with longitudinally-disposedconductor-seats having gripping-surfaces, one of said members beingfurther provided at one end with a laterally-oifset hangerflange for theconnection of a strain-insulator therewith, and binding-bolts connectingthe two members at opposite sides of the plane of the seats.

8. A supporting-clamp for electric conductors comprising a pair ofsuperposed clamping members having wire-gripping means and one of whichis provided with a laterally-olfset hanger-flange, a supplementalclevis-strap secured to one of the members and overlying thehanger-flange to receive the connectingrod of a strain-insulator, andbinding-bolts connecting the tWo members.

9. In combination with an electrical conductor having a right-anglebend, of supportingclamps secured upon the conductor respectively atopposite sides of the bend thereof and each of which clamps is providedwith a hanger connection. a strain-insulator secured to a bracing-guyleading from each insulator in line therewith.

10. In combination with an electrical conductor having a right-anglebend and the supporting cross-arms, of a pair of supportingclampsclamped upon the conductor respectively at opposite sides of the bendthereof, said clamps being disposed at right angles to each other andeach provided on one of its members with a hanger-flange. astrain-insulator connected with the flange of each clamp, and abracing-gu y leading from each insulator.

In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES R. KEARNEY. l/Vitnesses:

W. S. MoCLINTooK, E. Room.

